2005 Toyota 4RUNNER other reported problems

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Premature/unsafe frame rot

NHTSA complaint #11703363 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

When I first saw the pictures on the internet, I noticed that the front underside appeared to have rust issues. (Frontal shot) I contacted that sales person and he blew me off when I requested photos of the underbody. After several attempts, he finally sent a couple of pictures. The pictures obviously did not show the major rust issues as I have provided. The pictures were carefully fabricated not to show the major rust issues. It was apparent that the vehicle was taken off the internet while they hid the rusty underbody by applying some coating. A short time later, the dealership reposted the vehicle on their website. The vehicle was not properly advertised as having this major rust issue. I asked the salesman if his family was driving the vehicle, would he feel safe. He replied, "Absolutely". With this said, I decided to purchase the vehicle. Also, my signature is not on the "We owe". Also, the vehicle has an exhaust leak from the manifold area. It makes a loud ticking noise. This is going to cost approximately $1,500 to fix. The air conditioner is not blowing cold and either has a leak or in need of freon. This is another repair out of my pocket. This is what kind of pre-owned vehicle they sold me. This vehicle should have never been listed for sale.

NHTSA complaint #11669643 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

ENTIRE body frame has excessive rust, holes, and cracks. It is available for inspection. Toyota dealership says it is safe to drive for now but it is failing. I feel any cracks, rust, holes, separation of frame components places all occupants and anyone near the vehicle at risk for when anything fails - this could be when the vehicle is on the expressway in motion (such as when the GM ignition switch failures happened), causing catastrophic loss of life, injuries, and damage to all. It's not a matter of "if" it happens, it's "when" it will happen. There are no warning lamps, messages, or other symptoms of the problem. The exterior, interior, braking, engine of the vehicle are in remarkable shape so it's very misleading. There are also 4runners on dealership lots that have significant rust, holes, and cracks in the frames that the dealership does not warn about, rather, they still have high for-sale values because the vehicle looks good otherwise.

NHTSA complaint #11663625 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame rot. The frame on the 4Runner is a known problem for excessive rot. My frame is shot. There is no reason a frame on a 2005 should be rotted. I was advised by my mechanic that my frame is dangerously close to snapping in half. This needs fixed by Toyota!

NHTSA complaint #11663092 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame of the vehicle is showing rust corrosion. The frame are the same as the tacomas that were released the same year. The tacomas were granted frame replacement by Toyota but 4Runners weren’t. Noticed a lot of other 4th generation 4Runners are having the same issues.

NHTSA complaint #11553471 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame has rusted through and the boot of the frame that holds the front driver side suspension is 3/4 of the way cracked. Independent Body shop rendered car unsafe to drive.

NHTSA complaint #11531483 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The frame and complete undercarriage is completely prematurely rusted.

NHTSA complaint #11486056 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I was driving my 4Runner and the rear glass exploded and shattered. This is a known issue with Toyota and documented in T-SB-0189-17 and warranty enhancement ZG7. There were no warning lamps, messages or other symptoms of the problem prior to the glass shattering. Toyota refuses to cover the repair costs and the estimate provided by the dealer is $1,200. Photos were taken in my garage when I got home immediately after the explosion occurred.

NHTSA complaint #11482995 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The entire frame is rusted to the point the vehicle is unsafe to operate on the road. Parts of the vehicle could potentially break off because they have rusted through causing the vehicle to be involved in an accident. The vehicle has been inspected by an independent service center and a authorized dealer who confirmed the vehicle is unsafe to drive on the road because of the rust on the frame, differential, and crossmember. There was not any warning lights a mechanic mentioned it to me a in February/March when they were changing the oil that the frame would not last much longer.

NHTSA complaint #11464388 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

The frame broke loose from the rear sway bar due to excessive rust while I was driving it. My 4Runner is an 05 and has the same frame as the Tacomas of the same year, except with no recall. I believe it is wrong to recall the Tacoma frame and not the same 4Runner frame. It is available for inspection. The car wanted to loose control anytime the accelerator was pressed or released. The problem has been an issue for many 4Runner owners of similar years. There was no warning to this occurrence.

NHTSA complaint #11442604 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Extreme rusting on frame and all parts under the carriage. Vehicle suspension and all moving parts underneath could fail or fall apart causing major accident or death to me or other vehicle.

NHTSA complaint #11441149 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Extreme frame rusting completely thru at the point of being unsafe and unable to put the truck on a lift for any repairs. A number of SAE mechanics warned me about driving this truck due to the extreme frame rusting. Sections almost completely separating apart. I have rust proofed and undercoated the under carriage at least three times. Toyota should make good on their negligence to properly rust coat their frames at times of manufacturing.

NHTSA complaint #11429191 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

Frame is suffering From excessive rust inside of frame. The body and other components of vehicle have minimal/average surface rust. Interior of frame near front control arms, rear bumper crossmember, and rear-mid crossmember are rusting from the inside out.

NHTSA complaint #11427053 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EXCESSIVE RUST/CORROSION ON FRAME. HAVE SEEN STORIES WHERE FRAME SEPARATES FROM THE TRUCK BODY. UPON GETTING MY OIL CHANGE AT MY REPUTABLE ASE SHOP, OWNER POINTED OUT TO ME THAT VEHICLE IS RUSTING QUICKLY, HOLE IN FRAME, AND WILL NEED TO BE REPLACED SOONER THAN LATER ... WHEN I HAD IT UNDERCOATED, WASHED IT FOLLOWING EVERY SNOWSTORM AND ROADS SALTED, AND HAD PLANNED SINCE POINT OF SALE TO HAVE IT GO OVER 300,000 MILES AS SALES PERSON STATED WAS POSSIBLE.

NHTSA complaint #11407086 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

MY 2005 4 RUNNER CHASSIS IS RUSTING AWAY AND MULTIPLE DEALERSHIPS AND MECHANICS TOLD ME THE CAR IS NOT SAFE TO DRIVE. I WENT TO GET NEW TIRES AND NO LOCATIONS WILL EVEN RAISE THE CAR IN THE AIR. I CALLED TOYOTA CORPORATE AND EVEN THOUGH THE SAME CHASSIS ON THE SAME VEHICLES OF TACOMA, TUNDRA, AND SEQUOIA ARE RECALLED, THEY SAID NOTHING IS COVERED UNDER THE 4 RUNNER. I CANNOT EVEN DRIVE MY CAR ANYMORE.

NHTSA complaint #11390229 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I JUST BOUGHT THIS 4 RUNNER USED AND I'VE ALL OF A SUDDEN HAD SUPER BAD RUSTING AROUND THE FRAME AND ALSO AROUND THE RADIATOR AND WHERE THE SKID PLATE IS ATTACHED WHERE MY MECHANIC SAYS HE'S WORRIED ABOUT MY SAFETY AND OTHER DRIVERS ON THE ROAD, I PERSONALLY FEEL LIKE THE INTEGRITY OF THE FRAMING SYSTEM AND SUSPENSION IS BEING FLAWED AND I BELIEVE THAT I AND THE MILLIONS MORE THAT ARE BEING EFFECTED BY THIS SHOULD BE TAKEN CARE OF.

NHTSA complaint #11387783 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

NOTHING HAPPENED YET BUT FOUND UPON CHECKING THAT THE REAR DIFFERENTIAL UPPER CONTROL ARM THAT IS ATTACHED TO THE FRAME IS RUSTED THROUGH. I AM AFRAID IT WILL DETACH WHILE DRIVING AND CAN CAUSE AN ACCIDENT. I HAVE REMOVED THE FLAKY METAL MYSELF IN THE SUMMER OF 2020 AND PAINTED IT TO AVOID FURTHER RUSTING. THE CROSSBAR IN THE FRONT THAT IS SUPPORTING THE RADIATOR IS RUSTED THROUGH AS WELL. THE METAL THAT IS HOLDING THE TANK IS GONE TOO.

NHTSA complaint #11376362 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

WHEN I TOOK MY VEHICLE IN FOR ITS 103,000 MILE MAINTENANCE I WAS TOLD THAT THE FRAME WAS SO RUSTED THAT IF I SHOULD HAVE AN ACCIDENT IT COULD BREAK INTO. WAS TOLD I SHOULD JUST GET RID OF IT AND NOT SAY ANYTHING. I HAVE TAKEN THIS VEHICLE IN EVERY SIX THOUSAND MILES TO THE DEALERSHIP WHERE I BOUGHT IT FOR SERVICE AND WAS NOT HAPPY TO THINK THAT THEY INFORMED ME ABOUT THIS PROBLEM NOW AND NOT SOONER.

NHTSA complaint #11363877 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FRAME IS ROTTED OUT AND IS VERY DANGEROUS TO DRIVE. THERE HAS BEEN PIECES OF IT FALLING OFF. THE WHOLE FRAME IS RUSTY AND CANNOT BE REPAIRED. I SENT TOYOTA A MESSAGE AND NEVER RECEIVED A REPLY. ANY HELP WOULD ? THESE VEHICLES SHOULD BE REPAIRED AS THEY ARE VERY DANGEROUS. ANY HELP WOULD BE APPRECIATED.

NHTSA complaint #11341038 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

CALIFORNIA OWNED VEHICLE WITH RUST ON THE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #11328735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

1 RECALL PROBLEM NOT FIXED.

NHTSA complaint #11324735 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER BEEN PLAGUED WITH FRAME RUST ISSUES AND RECENTLY A STABILIZER BRACKET BROKE WHEN GOING OVER A SMALL BUMP. UPON INVESTIGATION, THE FRAME IS RUSTED COMPLETELY THROUGH IN THAT AREA AND NUMEROUS OTHER AREAS. THANKFULLY MY SON WAS NOT TRAVELING AT A HIGH RATE OF SPEED BECAUSE IT WAS UNCONTROLLABLE. VERY DANGEROUS SITUATION, MY SON COULD HAVE BEEN KILLED! WHY IS TOYOTA HANDLING FRAME RUST ISSUES WITH OTHER MODELS LIKE TACOMA BUT NOT THE 4RUNNER?

NHTSA complaint #11323054 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

HI, I OWN A 2005 4RUNNER AND I AM CONCERNED ABOUT THE HEAVY AMOUNT OF RUSTING ON THE FRAME. THE FRAME IS RUSTY WHICH IS CAUSING HEAVY FLAKING OF THE AFFECTED MATERIAL. THE BODY OF THE VEHICLE IS PRISTINE BUT I FEAR THAT THE PREMATURE RUSTING OF THE FRAME WILL AFFECT THE ABILITY TO SAFELY DRIVE MY 4RUNNER IN THE FUTURE. I AM A SPECIAL EDUCATION TEACHER WITH TWO YOUNG DAUGHTERS AND DON'T HAVE THE INCOME TO GO OUT AND REPLACE THE FRAME OR BUY A NEW VEHICLE. THIS 4RUNNER IS THE ONLY VEHICLE I OWN AND IS MY DAILY DRIVER. MY STUDENTS AND THEIR GUARDIANS DEPEND ON ME TO ARRIVE SAFELY TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY SO THERE IS CONSISTENCY IN MY STUDENTS' LIVES. I HAVE SEEN MANY 4RUNNERS IN THIS AGE RANGE SUFFER FROM THIS SAME CORROSION. I AM CONCERNED THAT MY FAMILY WILL BE INJURED IN A MINOR ACCIDENT OR THE VEHICLE'S SAFETY MECHANISMS FAILING BECAUSE OF FRAME DAMAGE. I AM ALSO CONCERNED THAT I WILL LOSE MY ONLY MEANS OF TRANSPORTING MYSELF TO WORK. I AM A HUGE FAN OF TOYOTA, ESPECIALLY 4RUNNERS, AND WANT TO KEEP MINE AROUND FOR A LONG TIME. KEEPING TOYOTA VEHICLES AROUND FOR A LONG TIME IS WHAT THE COMPANY WAS BUILT UPON.

NHTSA complaint #11321440 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EXTENSIVE RUSTING OF THE FRAME.

NHTSA complaint #11316872 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THIS VECH. HAS EXCESSIVE FRAME RUST TO THE POINT OF BEING UNSAFE TO DRIVE

NHTSA complaint #11307726 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I HAVE METICULOUSLY MAINTAINED MY 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER ONLY TO HAVE MY MECHANIC SHOW ME THAT MY FRAME IS COMPLETELY RUSTED. MY MECHANIC AND MY AUTO BODY GUY SAYS MY CAR IS UNSAFE TO DRIVE ANYWHERE, ANYTIME AND AT ANY SPEED. THIS SEEMS LIKE A DESIGN DEFECT AND I THINK TOYOTA SHOULD DO THE RIGHT THINK AND ADMINISTER A FRAME RECALL FOR THIS VECHICLE

NHTSA complaint #11281058 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

I LOVE MY 4RUNNER AND WOULD LIKE TO DRIVE IT FOR MANY MORE MILES AS IT RUNS AND DRIVES GREAT. BUT THE FRAME IS RUSTING OUT, JUST LIKE THE TACOMA AND TUNDRA FRAMES THAT WERE RECALLED BY TOYOTA. 4RUNNER FRAMES SHOULD ALSO BE RECALLED FOR PREMATURELY RUSTING OUT AND CAUSING SAFETY CONCERNS

NHTSA complaint #11253729 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

RUSTED FRAME OF VEHICLE INCLUDING CROSS BAR UNDER RADIATOR AND ON STRUTS ATTACHED TO WHEELS. FOUND DURING ROUTINE MAINTENANCE BY AUTO MECHANIC.

NHTSA complaint #11207878 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

THE FRAME ON MY 2005 TOYOTA 4RUNNER IS SEVERELY RUSTED. I HAVE HAD MULTIPLE PIECES FALL OFF MY SUV, SOME WHILE DRIVING. THIS INCLUDES THE FRONT SKID PLATE, TRANSMISSION LINES, AND OTHER SMALL COMPONENTS. THE FRAME ON MY SUV IS COMING APART. RATHER LARGE PIECES ARE 'FLAKING' OFF. IT IS PLAIN TO SEE WHERE THE METAL IS SEPARATING. I RECENTLY DISCOVERED THAT THE FRONT IMPACT SENSORS HAVE RUSTED LOOSE OF THE FRAME AND ARE NOW DANGLING FREE. THIS LEAVES MY SUV SUSCEPTIBLE TO THE AIRBAGS NOT INFLATING DURING A FRONT-END CRASH. THE ABOVE HAS BEEN OCCURRING OVER THE LAST FEW YEARS. I HAVE OPENED CASE #1707170870 WITH TOYOTA, BUT THEY HAVE TOLD ME THAT THERE IS NO REMEDY FOR MY VEHICLE.

NHTSA complaint #11196507 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.

UNKNOWN OR OTHER

EXHAUST SMELL ENTERING CABIN, GETS WORSE WHEN ACCELERATING ON RAMP. EVEN WITH RECIRCULATION OF AIRFLOW HEAT AND OR AIR CONDITIONER STILL SMELLS BAD. I HAVE TO DRIVE WITH WINDOWS OPEN EVEN IN WINTER. ALSO RUST ALL OVER SUSPENSION, UNDERCARRIAGE. PLEASE TELL IF THIS IS A COMMON PROBLEM AND SAFETY RECALL. THIS STARTED SHORTLY AFTER PURCHASING THE TRUCK IN 2017 AND HAS GOTTEN WORSE SINCE. THE MUFFLER WAS REPLACED ALREADY.

NHTSA complaint #11196100 — an unverified report by a vehicle owner.